Car-truck.



J. A. BROKS.

CAR TRUCK.

APPLIGATION FILED JUNE?, 1912.

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Patented sepnz, 1913.

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GAR TRUCK.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE?, 1912. 1,071,694. Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

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GAR TRUCK. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7. 1912.

Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

4 SHEETS-*SHEET itA l To all whom it may concern:

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' JAMES A. BROOKS, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYDYANI'A, ASSIGNOR T0 THE il'. G. BBILL I GOMPANY, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVTIA, A CORPORATION 0F PENNSYL- Be it known that I, JAMES A. BROOKS, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, and whose post-Omoo address is care of The J. G. Brill Co., Sixty second street and Woodland avenue, in said city, have invented certain new and useful Im rovements in Car- Trucks, of which the ollowing is a specication. f

My invention has relation to improvements in car trucks, more especially those adapted for use in connection with electric motors, and in the brake-mechanism there- `for; and the special objectof my invention is to adapt trucks of the class known as the Master Car Builders standard for use in connection with street railways; to enyerally strengthen and economize in t eir construction; and to render them easy riding under high speeds. To this end, my imfprovements have 'been directed to the devices for suspending or supporting the truck bolster, whereby a' low hung bolster resultj ing in a low center of gravity `for thesupported car body is secured; and to the general im rovement in the bolster constructien an `parts ofthe truck immediately related thereto. i. i n

My invention, therefore, resides 1n the combination of parts and details of con- .struction hereinafter' described and finally A pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

I have `in the drawing appended hereto, in .which like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several lviews, shown several embodiments of my invention, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a car truck embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the truck adjacent one wheel and oneend of the bolster. Fig. 3 is a side elevation partly in section, the section being taken substantially on the line a--a of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 4 ,is an enlarged sectional elevation showing a portionof the transom, swing and spring links and bolsterspring support, the section being taken substantially on the line b--b of Fig. 2 looking inthe direction of the arrows. Fig. 4 is an enlarged section through the lower end of the hangers and the seatfor the `bolster cani-Timex.

Patented sept. `2, .1913.

spring. Fig. 4b is a section of Fig. 4on the line 11b-4b looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a portion of the truck frame, showing a modified form of bolster support. sectional elevation substantially in the plane of the line o--c looking generally in the direction of the arrows. Flg. 7 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the upper end of the support for the swing links, the section being taken substantially on the line d-d of Fig. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 7 shows respectively an end and side elevation of the bearing' of Fig. 7. Fig. 7 b shows respectively end, side and plan views of the bearing block of the construetion shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 8 is an end elevation, artly in section, of another modified form o construction, the section being taken substantially on the line e--e of Fig. L9, looking in the general direction of the arrows. Fig. 9 is a side elevation, partly in section, of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a sidelelevation, partly in section, showing the essential portions of my improved brake mechanism. Fig. 11 is an enlar ed sectional elevation of the spring `bearing lock showing the connection of the release spring and the connecting rod thereto; and Fig. 12 is a like view of a modification of the connection.

I will first describe my improvements in connection with the construction shown in Figs. 1,` 2, 3, and 4 inclusive.

The truck in its general construction forms no part of my present invent-ion and may be varied to suit special requirements and only so much of it as is essential to the application and my improvements 4will be described.

At 1 are the car wheels, 2 are the axles.

At 3 are the side frames, deflected downward centrally as at 4 to provide a low support for the bolster, and having axle box pedestals 5 from which extend the arms 7.`

of the side frames, and which are of the usual gooseneck form, the ends 10 of which are seated in cavities 11 formed in the to of the axle boxes 12.

At 13 are the equalizer-bar springs, whichV l Aso v are seated upon the equalizing bars 9 and bear against castings 14 secured to the side frames, respectively.

At 15 are the transoms, which are secured 5 together by the stay plates 16, and at their ends to the section 4 of the side bars by plates 17 and 18, and additionally by the gusset plates 19, which have their downturned ends 2() bolted to the section 4 of lthe side bars. The bolster chafing plates 21 l are secured to the transoms in the conventional way. The truck lframe may have pedestal tie-bars 22, and a lower cord 23 secured to ears 24 on the under arms of the pedestals 5. p

The construction thus far described may be, as above suggested, of any form suitable to carrying out the improvements, which I shall now describe with particularity.

The bolster construction-Where duplication of parts is essential, it will be assumed that they are described, one side of the truck only being shown. As the sub-bolster or sand-plank sustains no weight the bolster springs being supported directly upon the swing links as will be hereinafter described, it is only necessary to tie the spring seats together, transversely so as to 'cause them to work in unison. For this purpose, I employ a flat plate or bar 25. This plate is riveted or otherwise appropriately and securely xed to the inner end- 25a of a spring-seat bearing-block marked generally 26, consisting of a casting having a top plate 27, a pendant lateral channel 28 and pendant strengthening webs 29, 30. This bearingv block 26 carries a spring-seat comprising a substantially rectangular casting generally marked 31, consisting of the rectanguf lar andfelevated portion 32 in the top of which is formed a recess 33 and the flanges 34 which latter are bolted or riveted to the top plate 27 of theV bearing-block 26. As the I' foregoing construction is the same at both ends of the bar 26, the description of one `end will suihce.

Upon each of the spring-seats 31 are seated the elliptic bolster springs 35, the band 36 of which is placed directly within the recess 33 which restrains the springs from lateral4 displacement. The upper portion of these springs extend upwardly between the ,Y transoms 15 and are secured to the bolster marked generally 37 inany appropriate manner. As the construction of the bolster forms no part of my present invention, it may be built up as desired, its present function being merely toy efficiently/support the car bo'dy and to transversely tie or connect ythe two bolster springs (or sets) together. The bolster is provided with acenter-pivot construction 38 of any desired type, bolster chaiing plates 39 and side bearings 40 of the usual or desired construction. By reason of the depression of the intermediate porment. The side webs 30 of the bearing block ywhich arev bolted to the flange 50 of'thev vlikewise through an aperture-in the web 54' 'of the plate 48, and a nut 55. vEach'of the swing links 41` are provided with yokes 'marked generally 56, the upper ends provided with apertured eyes or enlargements l57 of a ywidth substantially the distance be- .tween the transoms 15 and the web 54 of the brackets 48; and in the apertures of its eyes' tion of the side bars, the whole bolsterconstruction is hung low, thereby producing a very low center of gravity, allowing the car body bolster to lie well within the upper plane of the wheels of the truckand aii'ording easy access and exit to or from the car. To aid in bringing about this result, I employ pairs of swing and spring links, generally marked 41. These links, which are splayed outwardly as shown 1n Fig. 3,' E, each comprise an eye-bolt 42 screw threaded on their upper ends at 43 to adjustably take the spring cap 44, the lower ends of the eye-bolt each having an apirturedenlar `e` ment or 'eye 45, which forms a bearing or; tie rods 46, which pass through the eyes, the outer ends of the tie rods being. provided with cotter pins47, The bearing blocks 26 rest directly on the tie rods 46 and' there may be a rotative movementl between those g5 two parts, the sides of the channel 28 preventing lateral displacement between the parts, while allowing of this movement, 'and the opening of the channel permitting the ready removal .of the cross bar 254 and its associated parts from the links, the weight carried by the bolster being sulicient to keep the parts together with a working engage- 26 engage the inner sides of the eyes45 of 95 the eye-bolt 42, so as to preserve them at the proper distance apart.

The transoms are each provided with inverted angle-irons 48, the upper webs 49 of transoms 15,v as shown in Fig. 4, by bolts 51,

someof which pass through the iange of Iv '-3 vthe chang plate 21 and through the gusset plates 19, thereby providing a short chanj nel for the support of the upper end of the swing-links from the transoms. At 52 are the link pins. These'consist of a bolt, headed at 53, 'the head being set into the sides of the. transoms 15, and pass through an aperture formed therein and 57ar e inserted bushings 58, 'and through the bushings the`bo`lt52 passes. The lower ends seats 5 97and the caps 44 rest thereon'. 4In this way, the bolster is pivotally hung: from4 the transoms by paired links, allowing! 'the'v bolster to swing laterally of the truck 'and additional spring supports in jthe-isus'peiidii-Vz 130;

-of the yokes 56` are enlarged to form springf seats 59, at the center of which" are' hubs 60, 1-. Y fhaving apertures 61, through which the shank of the eye-bolts 42 loosely pass. The

ylink springs 62 arel seated on the spring-A ing links provided, the links being capable of .extension in the ldirection of their length,

the eyeolts and spring caps being capable 1 of slight displacement out of the parallel, in

order to I llow for the change of position of the parts( of the suspension during the transo verseswing ofallthe parts. The parts may befreadily organized or assembled, or taken apart fonconstruction and repair; the construction resulting in an easy riding truck gravity. y

l`The character and arrangement of the `:.tance. As shown, thesprmgs 13 are seated near the axle boxesi, The bolster-springs are spring system is alsoof considerable impori out near the ends of the bolster, and the linksprings are adjacent to and practically paired with the bolster springs and at each side of the bolster 'springs and substantially in line seated in the bearings 71.

with the bolster springs in the direction of their operative spring connections. i In this Way, the bolster is given additional spring support from the truck frame and lateral stability; and the arrangement of the springs tends to increase the easy riding qualities of the trucks.

In Figs. 5, 6, 7a and 7", is shown a modi- 4lied method of sup orting the bolster. To

the top `web 50 of t e transoms are secured opposltely located bearing-blocks 63, each comprising a casting 64 having ears by `means of whichl they are secured upon the transoms, and a recess 66 having inclined sides 67, one Wall GS being closed, the other wall 69 of the elevated portion being open, as at 70. In these recesses 66 are seated bearing-blocks 71 having inclined sides 72 and a circular bearing surface 7 3. At 74 is a link pin extending between the bearingbl-ocks 63, its ends passing through the openings in the sides of the bearing block and From the linkpins 74 are pivoted hangers or links 75, the upper eyes 6 of which embrace the linkpins, so as to allow them to swing trans- "versely ot the truck, the inner faces of the eyes bearing against the shoulders or enlargements 77 on the link-pin. At 78 is a spring seat having journals 79 passing through eyes 80 formed on `the lower ends port spring-caps having pendant nibs 86,

in the usual manner. Upon these caps are seated the bolster-springs 35, which in turn support the bolster 37, and it in turn the riser 37a for .the side bearings 40. It will be noted in connection with this structure that the parts are compactly organized, and that the usual sandplank or tie-bar con- `direction of the length of the bar to allow of the passage therethrough of the links 9.1", which latter are adapted to swing 1n said slots. The upper or threaded ends 92 of the links pass through widened apertures 93 in the spring-caps 94 located,within the straps, the upper ends of the linksI carrying seg'- mental nuts 95, which bear in segmental recesses in the tops ofthe spring caps. Spiral springs 97 seated in slotted springseats 98 Within the straps and resting on the cross-bars 89, support the spring caps. The lower ends or eyes 99 of the links 91 pivotally engage cross or tie-bars 100, `and the cross bars carry a casting 101 straddling them, (the casting being of the same general construction as the block 26) the eyes ot' the links being neld between the ends ofthe casting and cotter-pins 102. The inner `end of the casting is secured to the tie-bar 25 in the manner before described. A spring-seat 103 is bolted to the casting 101, and ou th'e spring seat is seated the bolster springs 35, which in turn support the end of the bolster 37 from which the side bearing riser 37 ex 1 tends, which latter supports the sldebearings 110. l

The brake mecLansm.-The improvements herein described which improvements constitute the subject mattei' of another application for Letters Patent led by me, ifelate more particularly towhat are known as inside-hung `brake shoes. The improvements are shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 112, respectively. Referring, first, to Figs. land 11. The brake shoes are shown at 1011 each shoe being provided with a head,organ-riet* 105 having a bifurcated lug orprojeetion 106, the extreme ends of whichcariy pins 107. At 19 are the truck ,gussetlplates VUnderneath the gusset plates are blocks 1.08

to which are secured pairedlinks or hangers 109, the lower ends of which pivotallyk engage bolts passing through the `brake heads 105. At 111 is the live lever, the yupper end of which is secured to a brake rod.1'12 leading to the source ot' power,andfwhieh passes through the bifurcated-extension o1 the brake head, its lower end 113 projecting below the same. The live lever is pivoted to the brake head by the bolt 114.` At 115 is the dead lever. At 11G is an upwardly errtending curved bracket secured to the .gusv

`set-plates or transoms. At` 117 `are the paired links pivotally secured to the bracket by a bolt 118. The outer ends of these links carry a bolt 119 to which is secured the upper end of the dead lever, whichv later passes through the bifurcated extension 106 of the brake head, it being pivoted or fulcrumed to the brake head at 120. Both live and dead levers pass through slots 19b in the gusset plates. The lower ends 113, 121 of the live and dead levers are secured together by the turn buckle 122, comprising the sections 123 `pivotally secured by bolts 124, 125 to the lower ends of the said levers, the sections being united by an oppositely threaded adjusting rod 125, which is threaded into the sections 123. J am-nuts 127 may be used to retain adjustment in the usual way. The above arrangement organizes the brake apparatus into a convenient accessible whole. The usual release spring is dispensed with, and in its place I substitute -a releasespring extending between the brake head or carrier, so that the pull of the release spring will be almost direct and very positive. The release spring comprises the bolts 128 pivoted to the 'bolts 107 secured to the extensions 106 of the brake heads, the

threaded ends 129 of the bolts engaging threaded apertures formed in spring-heads lor carriers 130, the outer surfaces of which are cast or so formed as to take the turns of a spiral spring 131, which frequently en- "gages said carriers. Shortening or elongation of this spring device may be had by turning the spring 131' or heads 130 in the appropriate direct-ion. The connection of the bolts with the spring carriers-may be modified, y,as in Fig. 12, by causing the threaded ends 129 to pass through enlarged holes 132 in the carriers which form a recess for the reception of a nut 133 movable on the ends of the bolts, by means of which the desired adjustment can be had.

.It is apparent that my various improvements can be embodied in structures speciiically different from those herein disclosed without departing from the spirit of myinvention.

ing springs supporting the frame on andy adjacent the running' gear, paired and oppositely located spring-links pivotally suspended from the transoms adj acent'the plane of the wheels, bolster springs supported by 'said paired links, a bolster supported -by remesa said bolster springs, and a pivotal and tyin connection between the terminals of sai links.

3. In a car truck, the combination with a truck frame and wheels, the truck frame being depressed intermediate of thev wheels, lateral connections between the depressed portions of the truck frame, means for spring-supporting the truck frame, pairs-of laterally swinging links carrying springs sel cured to said lateral'connections and located approximately in line with'the plane of the -wheels, bolster springs supported by said links, and a bolster supported by said bolster springs and extending between them and located between said lateral connections.

4. In a car truck, the combination with a truck frame, transoms, pairs of laterallyswinging spring-links pendant from the transoms, bolster-springs lsupported upon bearings which are in turn supported by said links, a bolster supported upon .said bolstersprings between the transoms, and means for tying the said bolster spring-,bearings together.

5. In a car truck, the combination with a truck frame, transoms, pairs of laterally Vswinging spring-links pendant from the 'transoms, bolster-springs supported upon bearings whichvr are in turn supported by said links, a 'bolster' supported upon said bolster-springs between the transoms, mea-ns for tying the said bolster spring bearings together, equalizing'bars `supported on axle boxes, and springs lsupporting the .truck frame on said equalizing bars.

6. In a car truck the combination with a truck frame, transoms, 'pairs of spring links pivotally supported on the `transoms and pendant therefrom, abearing pivotally Supported upon the' lower ends of said' links, means for laterallyconnecting said bearings, bolster springs on said'bearings, and a bolster on said bolster springs. i

7 In a car truck, the combination with a truck frame, transoms, pairs of yspring links pivotally supported on vthe transoms and pendant therefrom, a bearing pivotally supported upon the lower ends of said links, means for laterally connecting said bearings,

bolster springs on said bearings, a bolster 0.1i-

said bolster springs, equalizing bars supported on axle boxes, and springs on`the equaliZing-bars supporting the truck frame.

8. In a car truck, the combination with a truck frame, laterally extending transoms spaced apa-rt, means for supporting a bolster between the transoms comprising multi-part links having interposed springs, the 4llnks vbeing supported in vpairs opposite each other by a pivotal connection at the top with the transoms, a pivotal transverse connection between each of the pairs of links at the bottom, a 'spring support on said transverse connection, bolster springs on said support and a bolster on Said springs.

9. In a car truck, the combination with transoms, of oppositely disposed channeled housings formed on thewtransoins, pivot pins extending laterally through said housings, multipart links having interposed springs comprising a yoke held Within the housing through which said pivot pin passes, and a lower spring-supported bolt having an eye, a pivot pin extending through said eyes and connecting the links in pairs, and a spring seat on said latter pivot pin.

10. In a car trucl the combination with swing links pivotally supported from the truck frame, a pivot pin pairing said links, a casting removably supported on said pivot pin, and an elevated sprinf Y seat supported on said casting and having a spring receiv ing recess in its top.

1l. In a car truck, the combination with a truck frame, of links pivotally supported from the truck frame, said links being united in pairs by a pivot pin, a casting removably supported on each of the pivot pins, a bar connecting said castings, an elevated spring seat supported on said casting having a spring-receiving recess in its top, springs seated in said recess, and a bolster ou said springs.

l2. A pivot bearing block for a car truck comprising a casting having a recess, an opening in one side of the casting alining with the recess, a bearing block having an upper and open bearing surface located with said recess.

13. A pivot bearing block comprising a casting having areeess with upwardly inclined opposite walls, and a bearing block having inclined side Walls and a bearing suro face in the top seated in the recess.

14. A bearing block comprising a castlng having a Wedgeshaped recess with inclosing walls, one wall being open at the side, anda wedge-shaped bearing block seated Within said recess and having a bearing surface alining with the said wall opening.

15. A link spring-bearing, comprising a spring-seat-bearing block havin a lateral groove or recess Q8 on its un er side, a spring seat 31 having lugs 34 resting on and secured to the spring-seat bearing-block and having an upwardly extending portion 32 the top of which is recessed to receive a spring.

16. A tie bar 25 having spring-seat bearing-blocks 2G secured at its ends, channels 28 formed laterally on the under Side of the said bearing block, and elevated spring seats 3l having flanges 34 secured on top of the said bearing blocks.

17. In a car truck, the combination with transoms, a stirrup secured to the transoms, a spring within the stirrup, a cap on said spring, a bolt passing loosely through said cap, spring and stirrup, and pendant from the cap a spherical bearing supporting the bolt on the cap, and means secured to the end of the bolt for support-ing a spring.

Signed at the city of Philadelphia, county ol Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, this 4th day of June, 1912.

JAMES A. BROOKS. lVitnesses:

HENRY C. ESLING, H. F. MCKILLIP.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, I). C. 

